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EU PolicyWatch

Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure EU-2020-25/1091 – measures in European Union

European Commission unveils vaccine strategy

Country European Union , applies eu-wide (or beyond)
Time period Open ended, started on 17 June 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Non-binding recommendations or other texts
Category Measures to prevent social hardship
– Access to healthcare
Author Barbara Surdykowska and Eurofound
Measure added 10 September 2020 (updated 18 September 2020)

Background information

On 15 July the Commission has presented Communication on immediate short-term measures to strengthen EU health preparedness for COVID-19 outbreaks. At the heart of this initiative is the belief that continued vigilance and fast response from the Commission and the Member States is essential to ensure that the spread of the virus can be contained and new, generalised lockdowns can be avoided.

Content of measure

The priority actions for national and EU authorities laid out in the communication include:

  • increased testing coverage, contact tracing and surveillance by public health bodies to map clusters in order to contain the spread of outbreaks;
  • ensuring the smooth supply of personal protective equipment, medicines and medical devices through mechanisms such as emergency joint procurements and strategic EU stockpiles;
  • maintaining rapid access to public health surge capacities without neglecting other areas of healthcare, including through financial support for the transport of medical personnel and patients between Member States;
  • reducing the burden of seasonal flu to avoid additional pressure on the already-stretched health care systems, through increased vaccination coverage.

Use of measure

Potentially all EU citizens will be affected.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to businesses Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
EU (Council, EC, EP)
European Funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement No involvement
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners' involvement unknown.

Views and reactions

There were no reactions from social partners.

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), European Commission unveils vaccine strategy, measure EU-2020-25/1091 (measures in European Union), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/EU-2020-25_1091.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.